“What is the role for today’s pirate?

In response to last week’s question, “What is the role for today’s pirate?,”  my baseball loving friend Richard lamented, “In baseball, most years it’s finishing out of contention for a playoff spot.”  He then added, “Pirates also serve as landing strips for parrots.”

My adjunct executive friend Lindy observed, “French pirates prefer croissants.  A British pirate might prefer English muffins. If there were Polish pirates, they would desire Bublik.  All rolls are not equal.”

My sister Lorrie declared, “Two words - Wall Street” to which my equestrian friend Royce’s two words were, “Wells Fargo.”  And my college roomie John concluded, “Hacking into a company like Equifax.”

My dad’s beach buddy Bob complained, “To blow smoke into everyone's face so they can't see what is coming......It's the political way of life.”

My collaboration friend Tricia explained, “I think pirates are good for Halloween costumes and funny jokes with Arrrrrr. Also, my favorite pirate is Captain Jack Sparrow  - for obvious reasons. Lol!  On the other hand, I think real life pirates remind us that the world is not a perfect place, but one of adventure and a quest for treasure. Aren't we all on a quest for some kind of treasure?  Hmmmm. Arrrrrrr we pirates?!

My cycling friend Ted recalled, “They give sailing lessons on Lake Lanier, coax you while you're out there, and then bring you back for some good beer and barbecue.”

And my sailing friend Norm’s research concluded, “Like always, theft and mayhem.  Just check out the quarterly Pirate Report in Cruising Outpost Magazine Spring 2017 Issue (see bottom of this email).

Please send me your thoughts about this week's "things that make you go 'Hmmm' ":

       Who is a travel agent for a guilt trip?

Live well...laugh often and heartily.... have a good week and never regret anything that made you smile!

Hal

To my Jewish friends and family, wishing y’all a Happy New Year.  To them and everyone during these Days of Awe, may your be inscribed in the Book of Life for 5778.

Thanks to Demetri Martin, Steven Wright and George Carlin for the inspiration for Hmmm.   I invite you to call or email me to catch up.

From Cruising Outpost Magazine Spring 2017 Issue:

ACTIVE PIRACY REPORT from the ICC - A Narrative of the Most Recent Attacks (as of press time) 

April 29, 2017 - 0737 UTC, around 47nm SW of Bonny Islands, Nigeria: Armed pirates in a speedboat approached and boarded a general cargo vessel underway. Alarm raised, SSAS activated and all crew retreated into the citadel. The Owners notified the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre, who in turn informed and liaised with the Nigerian Navy. A naval vessel was dispatched to assist the vessel. The pirates' damaged ship’s equipment, stole crew cash and belongings and escaped before the naval team boarded the vessel to rescue the crew. All crew reported safe. 

April 28, 2017 - 0620 UTC, Georgetown Anchorage, Guyana: Duty officer on routine rounds onboard a seismic support vessel noticed a boat alongside the vessel and raised the alarm. Seeing the alerted crew, five robbers were seen escaping with stolen ship’s properties. 

April 22, 2017 - 1442 YTC, Around 5.7nm East of Somali Coast, Somalia: Six armed persons in a skiff chased and fired upon a tanker underway. Master raised the alarm and sent a distress message, to which a warship responded. The skiff chased the tanker for nearly two hours and then moved away due to the continuous evasive maneuvers. One crew reported injured. 

April 22, 2017 - 0300 LT, Batangas, Philippines: Unnoticed, robbers boarded an LPG tanker at berth, stole the ship’s properties and escaped. The theft was discovered by the crew during routine rounds. 

April 19, 2017 - 0845 UTC, around 59nm SSW of Brass, Nigeria: Nine pirates in a skiff approached and fired upon a tanker underway. Alarm raised, fire pumps started and non-essential crew retreated to the citadel. Vessel increased speed and conducted evasive maneuvers. While the Master communicated with the escort vessel the skiff was seen aborting and moving away. Crew and tanker reported safe.

Is love the killer app?

In response to last week’s question, “Is love the killer app?,” my marketing friend Rashida replied, “The killer appetizer? Yes. It's a prerequisite for most things that are good.”  Amen.

My dad’s beach buddy Bob advised, “I have heard that "love is Blind" but if you keep your eyes open it can be most fulfilling.”

My cousin Wes  concluded, “Love means nothing in tennis which kills your chances to win.”  And my temple friend Richard cautioned, “Not sure if love kills, but we know it injures.  After all, in the 1970s, the rock group Nazareth informed us that “Love Hurts.”

And for the fun of a song from Buddy Holly…later covered by Paul McCartney.

Please send me your thoughts about this week's "things that make you go 'Hmmm' ":

       What is the role for today’s pirate?

Live well...laugh often and heartily.... have a good week and never regret anything that made you smile!

Hal

Tuesday is International Talk Life a Pirate day!  Have some fun.  How many times can you say Aargh, or other pirate terms posted here or here?  Don’t be a bilge rat or scurvy dog; have some fun.

My friend Andrew shared this story about mensch, “My sister's high school drama teacher was named "Mr. Mensch", and he was. With his training, she went on to win a full drama scholarship to college, best drama student in college, and a 30+ year career (so far) in Hollywood. I wish there were more mensches in this world.”

FYI:  If you have Blue Cross/Blue Shield for an individual health plan in ATL, it is being terminated 12/31/17.  For more info about a fascinating alternative that I’m very familiar with; ask me about HIPnation.

Aaarg.  Are you preparing for Talk Like a Pirate Day on Tue, Sep 19?

Thanks to Demetri Martin, Steven Wright and George Carlin for the inspiration for Hmmm.   I invite you to call or email me to catch up.

“If all nations in the world as in debt, where has the money gone?

In response to last week’s question, “If all nations in the world as in debt, where has the money gone?,” my cycling friend Ted declared, “It went to the same place as that missing sock in the dryer -- another dimension!”

My dad’s beach buddy Bob concluded, “Some of them are obviously lying or you can check with your banker who seems to be getting fatter by the day,” to which my sailing friend Jan suggested, “In the pockets of politicians and their corporate cronies.”

My writing and sailing friend Rich shared, “If you are married to an equestrian you know the answer that that question.”

My sailing friend Norm lamented, "In smoke or in boondoggles" as my engineering friend Steve replied, “Directly to the toilet, I suspect.”

And my equestrian friend Royce recalled, “I think Peter, Paul, and Mary asked that same question in the 60's with their top 40 song Where has all the money gone?"

Please send me your thoughts about this week's "things that make you go 'Hmmm' ":

       Is love the killer app?

Live well...laugh often and heartily.... have a good week and never regret anything that made you smile!

Hal

To all of our friends and family in FL, GA and AL:  Be smart, be safe, and be well.  To all of our GA friends and family who have opened their homes to FL friends, family and dogs, you are what makes GA a great place.  You are all mensches.

FYI:  If you have Blue Cross/Blue Shield for an individual health plan in ATL, it is being terminated 12/31/17.  For more info about a fascinating alternative that I’m very familiar with; ask me about HIPnation.

Aaarg.  Are you preparing for Talk Like a Pirate Day on Tue, Sep 19?

Thanks to Demetri Martin, Steven Wright and George Carlin for the inspiration for Hmmm.   I invite you to call or email me to catch up.

For stress, who is a carrier?

In response to last week’s question, “For stress, who is a carrier?,” my writing and sailing friend Rich declared, “Everyone but the man in the mirror (and I am not too sure about him) .  To this, my temple friend Richard explained, “Anyone who drives you crazy while they remain calm and serene. I have always joked that I will not get an ulcer from my job, but that I am glad to be carrier.”

My dad’s beach buddy Bob announced, “Chuck Schumer” while my equestrian friend Royce called out, “Blue Cross/Blue Shield without a doubt.”  (See note below)

My cousin Greg created a pun with “My carrier Verizon Wireless gives me a lot of stress.”

My recruiting friend Jason rationalized, “Ourselves. Stress is a normal function, and yet we don’t live in the world where our stress reactions evolved.”

And my adjunct executive Lindy replied, “I think we should give it all to Dee, so we can de-stress.”

Please send me your thoughts about this week's "things that make you go 'Hmmm' ":

      If all nations in the world as in debt, where has the money gone?

Live well...laugh often and heartily.... have a good week and never regret anything that made you smile!

Hal

Blue Cross/Blue Shield is terminating individual health plans in ATL.  A fascinating alternative that I’m very familiar with; ask me about HIPnation.

Congratulations to the many event leaders and volunteers that made Noshfest 2017 such a success.  Great food, entertainment, crafts and fun.  And thanks to our local friends and community for their attendance.

Thanks to Demetri Martin, Steven Wright and George Carlin for the inspiration for Hmmm.   I invite you to call or email me to catch up.